5 LIES about Tech Addiction that are hurting your family

Many parents are starting their conversations with their children this way. And vice versa, many children are tugging on the sleeves of their parent and asking for their full attention.

We can brush it off as just being the way things are in our society or we can take a few moments to examine ourselves and our family and ask the hard questions of: “How much screen time are we allowing in our home?”

It’s easy to think that screen or tech addiction hasn’t hit our home.

As with any addictions, those enslaved by screen time addiction are in denial and buy into falsehoods regarding this serious problem afflicting many. Let’s examine ourselves .

Here are Five Lies About Tech Addiction that are hurting your family.

First Lie – A child’s developing brain is not damaged by screen time. Several studies have shown the opposite. A study done by Britain’s Royal Society of Medicine has proved that too much screen time, too soon impedes the development of the ability to focus, concentrate, pick up on social cues, build vocabulary, and be tuned into surroundings. Dr. Aric Sigman an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society says that “all those abilities are harmed”.

Second Lie – Screen time gives an educational edge to children, both in learning and problem- solving. Between birth and age three the developing brain needs certain types of stimuli that are necessary to healthy brain connections. This time is called the critical period for a reason. A child needs consistent connection and interaction with the real world during this time as neural development takes place. They need to be observing the natural world, home life, play indoors and outdoors, manipulate and touch things, and most importantly converse and have intimate and close contact with parents and siblings, and others.

Third Lie – People do not replace people with their devices. Our devices are creating disorder in our attachments. We are sacrificing our relationships to these new technologies. People will now beg, negotiate for, sneak time, and sacrifice communication with others to play games and spend hours being entertained online. They neglect the ones they love and have succumbed to their technology as their primary attachment.

Fourth Lie – People have become more efficient because of technology. In some cases, yes, but we also know that we are wasting more time on our devices than ever conceivable. When polled, people admit that they accomplish less and less in a day as they are gobbled up into the passive world of the Internet.

Fifth Lie - We have it all under control. Most people in addiction do not believe they are addicted. They do not admit the amount of time they spend on the screen, they discount the impact on relationships, and they do not make rash decisions regarding device usage. They find it pretty much impossible to control their usage and to see how it has changed their lives.

When individuals fall into tech addiction, young or mature of age, they need to be systematic, strategic, determined, and accountable in extricating themselves from the power of screentime. They need help. It is rare to beat addiction on one’s own. Children need real guidance and assistance, youths will often be combative, resentful, and even out-of-control when challenged with the need to change. It can be a very tricky process.

I have tools, techniques, and methods to address this all-too-common crisis that afflicts our society today. Do get help! Nobody is stuck with this ball and chain. Let me know if you are looking for non-judgmental, caring guidance.

Work one on one with Therese to overcome tech addiction in your family